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A Glebe convenience store owner used a broom handle to chase away a would-be robber armed with a handgun, a video released by Ottawa police shows.

Police are asking for the public's help to identify the gunman, whose makeshift mask was pulled off in a struggle with the store owner on the evening of June 2.

Police have released a video of an attempted robbery at a Glebe store in the hopes of identifying a suspect. (Ottawa police)

The man entered the store on Third Avenue near Bank Street with a shirt over his head around 8 p.m., pulled out a gun and demanded money, police said. The video shows the man press a gun to the owner's back and put him in a choke hold.

The owner grabbed a broom handle near the register and fought off the man, whose face was briefly captured on camera during the struggle.

Police said the store owner did not believe the gun was authentic.

Police said the would-be robber ran out of the store and got into a black Pontiac G5. The car was later determined to have been stolen from the garage of a Cedarwood Avenue apartment building on June 1 or June 2.

Police described the man as slim, black, and between the ages of 20 and 25. He wore a red T-shirt, black shorts and white basketball shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the robbery unit at 613-236-1222 ext. 5116 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Police recommend that victims of robbery remain calm, obey the robber's instructions and take no action that would jeopardize the safety of themselves or others around them.